Sporting News on the Cyclones

This week's print edition of the Sporting News had a nice little blurb about the Clones:

"Iowa State should have a more dangerous offense with the development of SF Wesley Johnson and the arrival of freshman PF Craig Brackins. Johnson had a terrific first year, but coach Greg McDermott's attack will run better now that Johnson appears to have improved his ballhandling. In ISU's system, the wings must be able to come off ball screens and make plays. Johnson's size (6-7) gives him an advantage over many defenders. Brackins is 6-10, has good jumping ability and knows what to do with the ball when he gets it. He'll need to get comfortable in McDermott's sophisticated attack."

Add in Thompson and Hubalek, and we have some nice depth inside. If our guards can pick up the system quickly, I think we could surprise people this season.

Don't forget about cory johnson and rashon.

I think ISU is going to be the surprise team in the Big XII this year. No bias at all by the way. Also, how bad is Iowa going to be. I havn't seen them in any publication above 10th in the Big 10.

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Originally Posted by cycloneryan

I havn't seen them in any publication above 10th in the Big 10.

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AAAHHHH Sneak attack from the rear,.. Just the way I like it.

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Originally Posted by cycloneryan

I think ISU is going to be the surprise team in the Big XII this year. No bias at all by the way. Also, how bad is Iowa going to be. I havn't seen them in any publication above 10th in the Big 10.

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Unfortunately, I haven't seen us in any publication above 11th in the league. I think we'll finish higher, and I agree, Iowa should be pretty bad this year. But if you are simply going to compare publication prognostications, we are going to be any better.

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Originally Posted by cycloneryan

Also, how bad is Iowa going to be. I havn't seen them in any publication above 10th in the Big 10.

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They might surprise some people, too. I think Lickliter is obviously a good coach who emphasizes teamwork and defense. I think they will be a team to contend with in the near future. But we'll still be better.

Every team in the league is excited about what they have coming back/coming in... What makes you all think we are going to be so much better? I admire your optomism, I just think ya'll are crazy...

Hope we do better than the football team is doing.

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Originally Posted by isucyfan

This week's print edition of the Sporting News had a nice little blurb about the Clones:

"Iowa State should have a more dangerous offense with the development of SF Wesley Johnson and the arrival of freshman PF Craig Brackins. Johnson had a terrific first year, but coach Greg McDermott's attack will run better now that Johnson appears to have improved his ballhandling. In ISU's system, the wings must be able to come off ball screens and make plays. Johnson's size (6-7) gives him an advantage over many defenders. Brackins is 6-10, has good jumping ability and knows what to do with the ball when he gets it. He'll need to get comfortable in McDermott's sophisticated attack."

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My copy of the Sporting News 2007-2008 College Basketball Yearbook was not so generous in their preseason comments of our basketball program. But one paragraph did catch my eye.: "Johnson averaged 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest last season. His 244 boards were the sixth best ever vy a Big 12 freshman, and he lead the league in offensive rebounds at 3.16 per game. Johnson won't have to do it alone, though. Iowa State landed Craig Brackins, a 6-10 forward from Palmdale, Calif., who is the most heralded big man recruit for the Hawkeyes since Marcus Fizer."

Hmmmm.

BTW, their preseason pick us for is dead last in the B12.

We need to start winning so people quit calling us the hawkeyes, this is getting old.

Our year will come down to guard play, but even with Mike Taylor gone...why do I feel better about it than going into last year?

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Originally Posted by isucyclone4

Our year will come down to guard play, but even with Mike Taylor gone...why do I feel better about it than going into last year?

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Because going into last year what did we have? Clark and Hubalek and a bunch of freshman. We had one big find in Wes. So now you have Wes, and Hubalek looks better. You know what they can do. And you have the highest rated player to come to ISU since Fizer.

I don't think they will win a ton this year, but I think they should be better than last year.

Don't forget that last year was the first year in a new system for everyone. This year at least the upperclassmen can help the new players. If for no other reason, that should make us better this year!

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Originally Posted by isucyclone4

Our year will come down to guard play, but even with Mike Taylor gone...why do I feel better about it than going into last year?

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You are absolutely right about it coming down to guard play. And being that McDermott's system is pretty complex so I hear, it's going to be rough expecting a freshman to do so much. I still think it would have been better to have Mike with us for one more year to get us by off raw talent alone.